IDF probe points to ‘several errors’ in October shooting death of soldier

A military investigation into the death of a soldier in October during a shooting attack in the northern West Bank points to “several errors” made by troops, the Israel Defense Forces says.

The soldier, Staff Sgt. Ido Baruch, of the Givati infantry brigade’s reconnaissance unit, was killed on October 11 while securing a march held by settlers near the Palestinian town of Sebastia. He was stationed near an interchange.

The gunmen, members of the Lion’s Den terror group, opened fire at Baruch from a passing vehicle and fled the scene at a high speed, according to the IDF’s probe of the shooting. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition, where he later died.

The IDF says the investigation found that the Samaria Regional Brigade and Givati Reconnaissance Unit “successfully completed their defensive mission, but did so at the heavy price of the death of Staff Sgt. Ido Baruch.”

But the probe also uncovers “several errors,” the IDF says.

“The soldiers were not positioned behind protection posts in the area of the interchange, and the manner in which they were positioned at the post where the incident had occurred was inadequate.” the IDF says.

Outgoing IDF chief Aviv Kohavi orders that lessons learned from the investigation be implemented in all units across the West Bank.

Baruch’s family was updated on the findings of the probe, the IDF adds. The gunmen behind the attack have not yet been apprehended.